Un je ne sais Quoi...

I've been to this French pastry shop many times, but usually, I get my order to go. This time, I came here on my birthday and chose the Chocolate Vanilla Cake as my birthday cake. It was my first time eating inside the shop. I love their desserts, though I haven't been able to try every kind yet. The Pain Au Chocolat, Chocolat Twist, Pistachio Paris Brest, and Merveilleux each have their own unique characteristics. I first learned about and tried the Merveilleux here. It has many layers, and each layer has a different texture. It consists of a sandwich of two light meringues welded with whipped cream, which has been covered with whipped cream and dusted with chocolate shavings. Overall, the desserts here aren't overly sweet and are full of buttery aroma. Even if you put them in the fridge and eat them the next day, they still maintain their excellent flavor. The store isn't big, and there aren't many seats, but the interior is warm and exquisite, making for a very comfortable experience.

Where do i start… this is THE BEST bakery thats out there!! Amazing croissants.. almond, pistachio and ham & cheese is to die for !! Coffee with oat milk was amazing too. Can’t wait to come back!! I always bring secured bag back home full of goodies!

Update: visited again in June 2025, super impressed as always! This place is hands-down one of the best French bakeries and dessert shops in DC—a true gem right in the heart of Dupont Circle. The window display is always full of freshly baked, picture-perfect pastries, some of which I’ve only ever seen on TV. I’ve never been to a patisserie in France, but judging by the look and unforgettable taste, I’d be willing to bet it doesn’t get better than this around here. On my last visit, the pistachio croissant really stood out—it was flaky, rich, and filled with a creamy pistachio center that wasn’t overly sweet. It may be one of the best pastries I’ve had in a long time, and I’m still thinking about it to this day. Whenever I’m headed to a birthday party, I try to stop here to pick up some desserts, and they’re always a hit. Your friends will love you for this :) It’s hard not to just get that pistachio croissant every time, but I’ll do my best to try something new next time… maybe.

Je Ne Sais Quoi: $92 Later and Zero Regrets I walked in planning to “just grab a pastry.” I walked out $92 poorer, clutching a box of a dozen pastries, a cappuccino, a latte, and a mango juice like I had just robbed Fort Knox in reverse. The pastries? Each one deserves its own Netflix documentary. Croissants so flaky I left a crime scene of crumbs on my shirt. Pain au chocolat that could probably start an international conflict over cocoa rights. A raspberry tart so shiny it looked Photoshopped. Almond croissants that should come with a restraining order because I can’t stop thinking about them. The drinks? Cappuccino and latte both hit smooth, no bitterness — the kind of espresso that makes you nod slowly like you understand French philosophy. The mango juice? Bright, tropical, and probably the only healthy thing I consumed, so I pretended it balanced out the dozen butter bombs. The staff were sweet, patient, and didn’t laugh when I pointed to basically everything in the case like a kid at Disneyland. Yes, I spent $92. But honestly? That bought me enough joy to forget gas prices, politics, and my to-do list. Worth it. Verdict: Skip the diet, skip the guilt, and bring a bigger box. Je Ne Sais Quoi has me hooked.

Unfortunately, the service was disappointing — one staff member who is a white female. She was unfriendly with eyes rolling when we ask for forks/knives. Visited 9/7/2025 Sunday 2:40 PM. Feel like I owe her $1 million. Pastries are good that I can give 5/5 if ignoring the negative services (please just let us do self-service order on machine, that will save your business money too) Recommend the pistachio Paris Brest which isn’t overly sweet and works well for Asian tastes. The lemon tart was quite sharp but I like it.

A very cute french cafe/bakery. I tried the pistachio Paris Brest. It was very light and the cream was the right amount of sweetness (thankfully not too sweet!), though I couldn’t particularly taste the pistachio. The cappuccino was also good. I need to come back and try other pastries as they all looked delicious

I can't stay away from Un Je Ne Sais Quoi whenever I'm in Dupont Circle! While the name might be hard to translate, the desserts are impossible to resist— each one is a masterpiece of texture, flavor, and perfect crispness, without being overly sweet. My forever favorites? The Millefeuille (flaky, creamy heaven) and the pistachio croissant (buttery, nutty perfection). If you love French patisserie, this place is an absolute must-visit!

This bakery is one of the best in DC. It was a bit crowded on a Saturday morning, but that’s a good sign! The enticing aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air, and the ice lattes were fantastic. Unlike most coffee shops, this one offers a delightful balance of bitterness and sweetness in its coffee. I didn’t add any sweeteners, and I loved the harmonious blend of coffee and milk. I ordered a croissant, raisin bun, and baguette, and each one was worth the wait and the price.